Love Stories. . .

Love Stories. . .

We asked our readers to share stories about how they met the love of their life. Their answers warm the heart.

I left the USMC in March 1970 as a 27-year-old first lieutenant with 13 months Vietnam combat duty. I accepted an armed security guard position with a home improvement center in Pomona. My job was to stand outside the cashiers' booths to deter losses. Because the job alternated days and evening hours I had time to look for a better career.

Every afternoon a youthful, beautiful blonde would take over one of the cashiers' booths. I surmised that she was a part-time high school student coming in after class and consequently too young for me to date.

One slow afternoon I walked up to her booth and inquired if she was a student. She replied, "Yes." I then asked her what class year she was, and she replied that she was a junior. I then made the error of asking "Which high school?"

She curtly replied that she was a junior in college at Cal Poly Pomona!

I apologized for my blunder and later that week invited her out on a date. That was April. We were engaged in May, and married in July. Thirty-eight years later we are happily married with four children and six grandchildren!

—Gary Nelson, Newbury Park

I first met my wife at the Burbank airport. Sharon's plane was leaving for Sacramento and mine to San Francisco from the same busy gate. I offered her my seat; we briefly spoke, and I was able to get her work number. After many, many unsuccessful attempts to reach her, I finally got to go out with her on a date. When I first saw her on our "first date" she had on one of the most beautiful dresses I had ever seen on anyone; she just sparkled and looked stunning. The moment we first held hands was the same wonderful moment that I realized she was holding my heart; I knew then I was falling in love. The rest is history; we now have four wonderful children, ages 18 to 21. We are very much in love and have lived in Newbury Park for over 16 years.

—Michel Deffense, Newbury Park

Dan and I didn't know each other, even though we worked at the same insurance company. I had always had long wavy hair, but in 1982 I decided that it was time to cut it short—really short. When I went back to work I felt so self-conscious and wanted to hide under my desk. Then out of nowhere this really nice guy walked over to my desk and whispered to me that he loved my haircut. It made my day! Later, we were both on the company softball team. While I was sitting on the sidelines, a foul ball hit me in the head. Dan ran over and made sure I was okay. To make me feel better he let me drive his brand new sports car. Dan was my hero 27 years ago, and he's still my best friend and the greatest husband ever. Happy Valentine's Day, I love you honey!

—Kim Aguilar, Thousand Oaks

Would you marry a guy who stands you up on your first blind date? A mutual friend of ours arranged for us to meet at the bowling alley after Len was through bowling with his league. He finished early, but I arrived late. During the next two weeks, we spoke on the phone and decided to try again, but this time he'd pick me up at home.

He came over, met my family and off we went to an outdoor movie (Chicago in January), saw "Stalag 17." We both had this funny feeling that we'd be seeing a lot of each other. And we did.

Getting our marriage license was an experience. The license had been $2 until the first of the month. We were there on the 10th and the price had gone up to $5. Good thing I had money with me.

We said our vows on a rainy, 107-degree, 96-percent-humidity day. That was 55 years, four children, eight grandchildren and two great-grandsons ago. The outdoor theaters may be gone, but we're still going strong.

—Sydelle and Len Goodman, Thousand Oaks

We met at a group dinner in New York City at Tony's. It was a friend of a friend of a friend. My college buddy was in town from law school with his new girlfriend who went to college with my future wife's roommate from her law school. About 12 of us were at dinner, and we happened to sit next to each other. She laughed at every one of my jokes, and I knew then she was the one. I called her that Monday, and we have been in love ever since.

—Michael Julius, Westlake Village

The first thing I noticed across the room were the diamonds in her eyes. It was 1976 at my college fraternity party in Los Angeles. The Eagles' "Hotel California" was playing in the background; my attraction to her was immediate. She was the best-looking girl and had style and sparkle way beyond anyone else I had ever seen at my ripe age of 21. We danced, we talked, and I drove her home. Traci was from a sorority visiting from the San Fernando Valley. I had never driven to the Valley before. It didn't matter; I was determined to discover this real "Valley Girl." I continued driving those 30 miles for three more years, until we married in 1979.

This year is our 30th anniversary, and our friends and family comment how remarkably in love we both continue to demonstrate. Explanation? It must have been the diamonds in her eyes, which, by the way, were decorative crystals, forming the letter "T" embedded in her eyeglasses. (Remember, it was the time of disco.) The glasses are long gone, but not the sparkle in her eyes. I was then and still am under her loving and bewitching spell.

—Patrick Newburn, Thousand Oaks

It was meant to be: I lived in a condo in Marina del Rey, Calif., where all the neighbors enjoyed fun cookouts at poolside. My neighbor, Laura, worked for Great Western Savings, and her boyfriend, Jerry, was in the catering business. One Saturday he ended up with over two dozen extra steaks from an event, and he and Laura quickly called a last-minute party. Laura had asked Marianne, who she worked with, to come and asked me and several other of the neighbors to join them as well. As if by destiny, Marianne and I were the only two people who actually showed up, meeting for the very first time. It was a true case of "love at first sight," and to this day they claim it was not staged (we still question it). Twenty-nine years later, I love her now even more than I first did, and never knew that could be possible. Shortly after the "Jim and Marianne Wedding," the "Jerry and Laura Wedding" followed. The rest is simply wonderful history, and we anticipate the future to be even better. My heart will always belong to Marianne.

—Jim Simpson, Thousand Oaks

It was "lust" at first sight, which grew quickly into "love," almost 23 years ago. I first saw my wife-to-be, Melanie, entering the women's bathroom in the Mammoth Mountain locker room in a striking white ski "bunny" outfit. I was so taken by her attractiveness that I waited for her to exit, along with my ski friend, who's dad had the foresight to request ski lockers next to the women's bathroom (why not?). We both tried to win her interest and picked numbers to see who would go up the "T-bar" chair with her. Apparently my guess was the closest, (we will never know if it was or she just wanted to be with me) and the rest is history. We skied alone together all day and went on an Oscar-night first date the following night after we got home. We got very close, very soon. Fireworks definitely were going off. It turns out that we grew up just a couple of miles away from each other and both went to Taft High School. We got engaged the following year in a hot air balloon!

—Mitch Rosenberg, Thousand Oaks

Daniel and I started off as pen pals. Neither of us thought that when we started talking we would fall in love; it was not what either of us was looking for. In fact, we thought we would be nothing more than friends. On July 17, 2007, we met one on one, and it was final. He was not my type, with his showy bike and muscle shirts, and I figured that I wasn't his. On July 18, he went into organ failure after an accident the police reported as an imminent death.

When I didn't hear from him, I figured he had no interest in me, but because we had spoken every day and his phone was out of service, I contacted a friend of his and found that he was alive but in a coma in the hospital. I kept him in my prayers, and I could not get him out of my head and my heart. Then in midSeptember he contacted me. Through his rehabilitation we spoke every day and through that we fell in love. We went on our first date on October 28, 2007, and have been together for one year and five months.

—Lauren Cuadra, Thousand Oaks

Can I borrow your car? Our first date was a trip from San Francisco to Mariposa to pick up an antique piece of furniture. I needed a big car, and I learned my wife had access to her parents' big car. So I asked her if I could borrow the car and said I would take her to see a show after we got back.

Everything went fine. We got the antique back to my apartment in time to go see the show Beach Blanket Babylon. We both enjoyed it. The show was two blocks from my apartment, so we walked to my place and then she drove home. I learned later that I should have walked her to her car. Despite that, I knew then that I had met a good person. However, it took my wife about a year to think the same of me. Somehow it worked out. Twenty years later we flew up to see Beach Blanket Babylon again. This time I was sure to walk her to our car.

—Jon and Beverly van Scoyk, Thousand Oaks

It took me a whole week to fall in love with my husband after we met. I first discovered his chivalry the night after Kenny jumped off a balcony to retrieve the purse I had accidentally dropped below. He had been living with my girlfriend, renting a room actually, and she fixed us up. His intelligence became immediately evident with his lightning fast sense of humor. He was in medical school and was originally from California. It took him a week to kiss me. He told me later that he really liked me from the start and didn't want to mess things up. Shortly thereafter summer break came, and Kenny went home to Los Angeles. I took a previously planned trip to San Diego to visit a college friend. Kenny drove three hours down to San Diego to meet my plane, bringing an adorable stuffed teddy bear for me. He said, "I love you" before I could, and after two amazing daughters, four cats and two Chihuahuas the rest is history. We just celebrated our 21st anniversary.

—Rachel Elman, Thousand Oaks

In Hamilton High School, 46 years ago, we were racing to class. She was headed upstairs, and I was going down. Our eyes met briefly; seconds later, we each did an about turn. I was on the lower floor; she was the angel on the landing. All else was a blur, a flash in time, frozen forever.

I had just gotten my driver's license and our first date was for dinner—allyoucould-eat spaghetti. Six plates later, she was convinced—with me, she'd never go hungry. Our first movie was "The Unsinkable Molly Brown." We went "steady," separated, dated each other's friends and, finally, reconnected in college.

A second "magic moment" occurred the day we returned from the hospital with our newborn daughter. With our 2½-year-old son seated between us, Gerri placed the infant on his lap. She began to fuss. Michael gently rocked her in his arms and said, "Don't cry, Baby Laura, Mikie loves you." Our eyes met, as they had before, and we knew—it was more than spaghetti.

This year we celebrate our 39th wedding anniversary. As Casey Stengel might have said, "Who woulda thunk it?"

—Jeff Wissot, Westlake Village

I met my husband Tim while I was a poor graduate student and he was a police officer sipping coffee at Starbucks. After about our second week of dating I decided that I would take advantage of his cop status by complaining to him about the "fix it" ticket I got for having a broken rear tail light from another police officer from the same department. I was a graduate student and couldn't afford to buy a new one. I thought if he really cared for me he would use his police status and get me out of it. Well he said couldn't do it. But two days later he showed up like a knight in shining armor with a new tail light and fixed it himself. I couldn't believe it! That is when I knew he really cared, and it was love ever since. We've been married 12½ years. He's still romantic, but he's not very good at fixing things anymore.

—Sandee Saurman, Thousand Oaks

My husband and I met on a volleyball team in Pasadena. I was reluctant to join the team at first, but my tall, lanky roommate at the time, Diane, talked me into it. I told her the only reason I would go is to meet cute guys. Well, when I walked into the gym and saw my future spouse standing there, I knew my "plan" had worked—so to speak. It took me about a month of flirting to clue him in until he finally asked me out. My sore arms and wrists had been worth it. On Fri., Jan. 30, we celebrated 10 years of marriage and two precious children, ages 6 and 8. I guess you could call our story "love at first serve." Have I played volleyball since? Nope. I'm too busy loving the wonderful man I call my husband.

—Nancy Boger, Newbury Park

It was the Strawberry Festival 10K run, 1989. My wife now, girlfriend then, was sure the 10K run started at 9 a.m., and I was sure it started at 8 a.m. When we drove up to the site, we saw the last of the runners coming in from the race, which had started at 8 a.m. My wife turned red; we ran the course for fun, spent the day at the festival and a couple of years later we were married. She has been late ever since, but I love her dearly! This year we will be celebrating our 20th anniversary since we met. I am a blessed man because of her.

—Jack Nosco, Newbury Park

I was working at Wildwood Camp in Thousand Oaks as a camp counselor when I met Jeremy. We became friends and enjoyed joking with each other, but there were no sparks. Through many summers, we became best friends. One day, nine years later, it hit me—I realized how I had been looking for the right man . . . and he was right there. Evidently he felt it too. One night, as we sat and watched a repeat of Saturday Night Live, he looked me in the eye and kissed me. It sounds cliche, but it I knew then I would never kiss another man. It felt like a perfect fit . . . finally! Six months later at the homecoming game at TOHS (where Jeremy taught English), he was emceeing the halftime show; the lights went down, our song started playing and fireworks lit up spelling, "Adria, will you marry me?" I looked to Jeremy, who was on one knee, with a ring, in front of a stadium full of people. As I said, "Yes," fireworks erupted in the sky! On July 6, 2002, I married the love of my life. It was the best decision I ever made, and it only took 10 years!

—Adria Resnick, Thousand Oaks

"Who is that?" I asked my table companions, eyes fixed on the approaching stranger. Handsome and broad-shouldered, he strode confidently into the residence hall dining commons. All heads turned, and the buzz began.

"He is so-ooo cute." "I love the way he walks," I said. "I hear he's a professional baseball player." "Really?" "I think he lives in Teuton Hall." "What year is he?" I asked. "Freshman."

My heart plummeted. I was a senior, a resident assistant for freshman girls.

Ellen invited him to sit at our table. My charges hovered, like bees to nectar. His name was Keith. He was from Pasadena and yes, he'd signed with the San Francisco Giants. Despite his commanding stride, he was soft-spoken, polite, almost shy. Charming. Maybe I could set him up with my younger sister. I cajoled him into attending the semester's first intra-residence hall mixer—part of an R.A.'s duty—and called my sister.

Although both were excellent dancers, there was no chemistry, and after the first dance they drifted off to other partners. But I got the last dance, our first kiss and, two years and many dances later, the last word—"I do."

—Lee Wade, Newbury Park

Way back when I used to be a frequent at Borderline Bar & Grill, I loved to line dance and two step. On Thurs., Jan. 12, 1995, the most handsome man came walking over to me and asked me to dance. I knew right then and there in my heart he was the one I would marry and spend the rest of my life with. After we had danced a few dances, I told this handsome fellow some dates of when I would be returning to Borderline. I did that because I didn't know if he had felt the same spark I did. But I guess he did because he was there on the nights I mentioned! He eventually asked me to marry him, and it's been an amazing 12 years of marriage. He truly is my soul mate. I never thought I'd have it all with a man who is an incredible husband as well as a great father to his children. He is always there for me, and I can't thank him enough. Happy Valentine's Day to the love of my life and my best friend.

Still hopelessly head over heels in love.

—Irene Nelson

 In January 1985 I had been divorced five years and never intended to marry again. Being very involved with square dancing, I had to have a partner who could dance at an advanced level. The current partner decided to take a class, and I needed to find a new partner. Someone mentioned Ken Thompson and gave him my phone number. I didn't know his name, but when I heard his voice, recognized him as someone I recalled being in tips with and who was an excellent advanced dancer. We agreed to go to our first dance in Van Nuys. I recall being on 101 South and telling him, "I am not interested in a relationship, just a dance partner."

Within a month, I knew this man had exceptional qualities apart from being a marvelous dancer. Our rapport developed quickly, and we were married on July 6, 1985, 23½ years ago. Nothing has changed my mind. His many qualities of being devoted to our combined families, tolerant of my foibles, supportive of everyone who knows him, his artistic talent and being a conscientious loyal worker make him my special Valentine every year.

—Jean Thompson, Thousand Oaks

Fifteen years ago I was a UPS driver. While delivering packages someone stole my heart. I figured out her name was Lisa by her signature. When I finally started looking for opportunities, the packages had stopped, and she didn't even know I existed. I even contemplated wrapping an empty box addressed to them but never did. I had been driving by on a daily basis and could never get up the nerve to stop. One day she drove right by me as I was trying to flag her down, and she just smiled and waved! By now I was well rehearsed and knew exactly what to say. One day, I drove around the corner with my heart beating out of my chest and there she was. I pulled up and jumped out of the truck so fast it startled her, no packages in hand. Then all that rehearsal and confidence went south. As I was stumbling over my words, she stopped me and said, "Would you like to go for some coffee?" I just kind of nodded as we exchanged numbers. Our first date was soon after, and we now have two beautiful children after 14 years of blessed marriage.

—Kelly Doyle, Thousand Oaks

Craig,

Valentine's Day has always been my favorite holiday. Everyone can share their love and remember how they met. At 18 years old, I was infatuated with a man from work. I would walk by his office every day just to touch his jacket, which was hanging on his office door. Now, 26 years later (married for 21), I still feel that same tingle from our first kiss. Every time I look into those beautiful blue eyes, I can't help but think how lucky I am to have that same jacket hanging in my closet. Love always, Susan.

—Susan Bernstein, Westlake Village

It was a warm spring day when my friend called and asked if I would attend daily Mass with her to commemorate the anniversary of her mother's passing. While sitting in the pew, I happened to look up and saw this handsome Adonis coming down the aisle. Black wavy hair, beautiful brown eyes and slender form, he looked at me and flashed this fabulous smile. I was a goner. That was nearly 45 years ago, and though the black wavy hair has turned gray, as has mine, he'll remain my Adonis forever. By the way, he still has that fabulous smile and my heart still jumps when he flashes it at me. Happy Valentine's to my one true love.

—Mary Kusnierek, Thousand Oaks

Our first date in May 1982 was written in the stars. Harry and I were both hiking down the Samaria Gorge to the Libyan Sea in the Greek Isles. He was Dutch, enjoying vacation time on the island of Crete. I was American, traveling through Europe for months on a shoestring and with a backpack. First he passed me on the downward trail, then I passed him, and pretty soon we began to talk. By the end of the two-day hike, we had made plans to meet up again when I traveled up to Holland. The rest is history.

—Bonnie Vandenberg, Thousand Oaks

I was walking in my apartment complex when I saw this beautiful girl talking to someone else. I didn't see her again for three weeks, but I thought about her constantly. I asked her out and was so in la-la over her I drove to Santa Barbara at night with my lights off. I told her on our first date that I was going to marry her. We were married eight months later. Every day I am with her is wonderful. We have been married 10 years.

—Josef Jacobsen, Thousand Oaks

Stan and I met at the widow support group in Thousand Oaks. Every Tuesday he would sit by me from February to May.

My husband, Al, had died after 54 years of marriage, and Stan's wife of 30 years, Bess, died in 2004 also.

When he asked me out for lunch I said, "Oh, not today—not tomorrow. Call me maybe Friday." It was a strange feeling to date after so many years.

When I mentioned it to my daughters, they were quick to say, "Don't tell him where you live; meet him someplace." So we met at Roxy's in T.O. He gave me directions, and we met for a good lunch. Talk came easy, and we seemed to hit it off well right away.

After a few dates he didn't like driving 15 miles to see me. He lived with his son who had had a heart problem but was doing better. I helped him find a place two miles away. I said, "I'm doing fine, and you are not moving in with me!"

Stan's a really handsome, nice guy. We enjoy eating together, going to plays and sometimes good movies, playing pool and cribbage for four years now.

—Dorothy Jorgens, Newbury Park

Serendipity rules! Seven years ago, eight months after my husband passed away, I decided to rejoin life with a week in Maui alone. As I took pictures of a stunning sunset, a hotel bartender asked me if it would be okay for a gentleman to buy me a cocktail. It was the end of my lonely vacation, so I accepted and sat down next to him to introduce myself. I discovered he also was in Hawaii alone, also at the end of his vacation, and his spouse had passed away that same week as mine. Our romance was meant to be.

—Chris Hendel, Newbury Park

I was just 13 years old when I got a mad crush "from on far" on this handsome young man that worked at the boat rental dock in Balboa.

It was love at first sight. This "crush" continued every summer until finally we met, and, as fate would have it, Harold was leaving with the Navy at the beginning of the Korean War.

We wrote to each other faithfully the whole time he served overseas.

In February 1952 he finally came home. We were married in November and now just celebrated our 56th wedding anniversary.

It is a love that was meant to be and will last forever.

—Joann Hass

I will never forget the day my life changed 22 years ago, when I first laid eyes on the prettiest girl I had ever seen. I was 20 years old, sitting in my fraternity, when this 18yearold freshman walked by; all I could see was the back of her—blond, poufy hair, Jordache jeans rolled up over penny loafers—as she walked down the street, yet I knew right then and there she was my dream girl. When I got her phone number, I stared at the phone for two hours seeking the courage to call her for our first date. From then on we were inseparable; I couldn't get enough of her, her smile, her laugh, the way she always held my hand.

Today we have two amazing boys, and she's by far the most amazing person I've ever met. Yet, at times when I see her walking away from me, I still feel that same stomachache as I did 22 years ago as a 20-year-old boy looking at her for the first time, not yet knowing we would spend our lives together, just knowing I had met my angel.

—Kieran Roche, Westlake Village

Danny and I are getting close to our four-year anniversary, and I just fall in love with him more and more every day! I am not going to lie and say that it was "love at first sight," but from the moment we went out on our first official date, he picked me up and had something hiding behind his back, and he said, "Here, I brought you a papaya." He's a one and only, that's for sure! And it wasn't even a papaya; it was a mango. Some girls get flowers; I got a mango. From that moment on, I knew he was a keeper. Daniel Diaz . . . I love you.

—Christina Ibarra, Thousand Oaks

I met my husband, Paul Roger Worthy, cruising on Van Nuys Boulevard in the San Fernando Valley in 1967. I was in a red pickup truck with water-ski equipment in the back, and he was driving a black 1959 El Camino.

We both made a turnaround at the same gas station, and he noticed the ski equipment, after he noticed me, and asked me about it. I told him that my family goes water-skiing at Pine Flats lake, and he said that he goes skiing there too. Our family loved water-skiing and being together, and he said that he grew up doing the same things with his family. We started talking and found we had a lot of the same interests; he asked me if I would be cruising again on Wednesday night, and I said yes. Well, the next Wednesday we saw each other on the boulevard, and we pulled over again and exchanged phone numbers.

I was in love right away. We married in 1969, and this April 2009 will be our 40th wedding anniversary. He is the love of my life.

And we still go water-skiing with our children and grandchildren.

—Gail Worthy, Thousand Oaks

Love at First Hug Both of us remember as if it were yesterday. The parking lot of Marie Callender's. Marv asked, "Can I just give you a hug?" It was magic. That night I called my best friend: "I met the man I am going to marry." Marv called to say, "Thank you for being you."

My Aunt Molly had decided we should meet. It took lots of voice messages (it became hilarious), until we actually were both home. Since we were both free that Tuesday night, we met for coffee.

It was so comfortable to share. Each from long-term first marriages. Both still friends with our exes. I was 49; he was 56. Marv forgot his wallet. I paid.

That Marie Callender's in West L.A. is no longer. But to us, it will always be there. Twenty years later we are still in love.

—Sharon Bloom Chernoff, Westlake Village

We met on a blind date at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. My fraternity brother's fiancee lived off-campus in a private home, and her roommate had just transferred from an outofstate college for the fall semester and knew very few people. He had four tickets for a play at the little campus theater, and he asked me to "do him a favor." He and his fiancee wanted to fix up this girl with a date.

I said yes, and on Friday evening, Oct. 22, 1954, we walked from the fraternity house to Mrs. Johnson's home, where I got my first glimpse of "Mo"(Moira), as she was introduced to me. The four of us walked the short distance to the playhouse, where we saw a play titled "On Our Way."

Mo and I have been On Our Way since that evening, as we began dating, fell in love, got pinned, then engaged and married on Aug. 25, 1956. Every Oct. 22, we still celebrate that first date anniversary. I recall a plaque in our older son's home which says, "That you and I could live our lives at the same time on earth—how incredible God's plan."

—Bob Fitch, Thousand Oaks

Met the love of my life my senior year in nursing school. He was rolled into my life on a gurney in the operating room. He was the patient; I was the scrub nurse. He was really a handsome young man, and it was truly love at first sight. All he could see of me was my eyes (as I was dressed in operating room gown and mask). Guess it must have been my green eyes that caused him to ask me for a date. I accepted, and we are celebrating our 50th anniversary this year.

—Jan Kirkland, Westlake Village

It was 1976, summer of the Montreal Olympics, and my cat, Muse, would go out on the fire escape and climb up the ladder to the window of the tenant upstairs. Day after day he would go out my window, beckon me to observe him sewing his way up the ladder, in and out of the rungs, using his claws in the porous brick for leverage. After a few weeks of this, and his presence in my apartment lessening, I decided to go upstairs and introduce myself to my kitty's newfound attraction. That's when I met Jim—a commercial photographer with a walrus moustache and hair to his shoulders. Muse was at his feet, rubbing through them and looking up at me. The introduction complete, Muse went further up the ladder to the roof and chased pigeons. Jim and I have had four children and look forward to eternity together.

—Pamela Bond, Newbury Park

Monday 8 a.m. 2004 she walks into our office, and I'm by myself and offer to help her. She informs me it's her first day of work and of course no one told me. A smile like the morning sunrise and beauty outside that will pale as I come to know her inner beauty. My breath is taken away as I come to know her heart, and a year later love has blessed me for the first and only time in my life. To this day every time I see her it's the same feeling as the day she walked into my life, and I will never get enough of that feeling no matter how long I live. She was there by accident, as the job she was offered she rejected at another place but was told we were hiring and decided to give us a "look," thank God. She's the one I want to look across the room at a party and think that her heart she entrusted to me, and she certainly is the angel in my life that holds my heart. I'm truly blessed.

—Mike Morris, Thousand Oaks

Scenario: It was 1952 in Santa Monica, Calif., at a teen dance.

There were over 100 teenagers at the dance. I was there with several of my girlfriends. I was 15 years old—15 years and 11 months.

Across the dance floor we saw the cutest guy we had ever seen, wearing 501 Levis, white T-shirt and loafers. He had a flattop haircut with a duck tail.

I poked my friend standing next to me with my elbow and said to her, "He's mine, and I am going to marry him."

Poor Bobby Hedrick didn't know what hit him!

Three years and two months later we were married, and what did I think that day? "He's mine forever and ever and ever."

Forty wonderful years he was mine before his passing from cancer. Every day happy memories spring forth, pictured beautifully in my mind, and I am thankful for this blessing. These memories keep my sweetheart alive and with me.

—Shirley Hedrick, Newbury Park

I saw her at a church youth meeting playing ping-pong. She couldn't hit the side of a wall. She is only 5 feet 1½ inches tall. She took off her shoes and began hitting the ball. My comment to her was, "It must have been the altitude that prevented you from hitting the ball." When I left, I found myself thinking about her. As I never introduced myself, I had to get her phone number from her friend. Our first date was a Little League baseball game that I was coaching. I won the game and her. We were married eight months later. She told me after we got married that she never knew I was the one that made the comment to her. It was a great decision as we will be celebrating our 50th anniversary on April 18.

It has been truly a wonderful 50 years with my ping-pong player.

—A.J. Vampa, Newbury Park

High school sweethearts is what we were, I first saw you through your friend, you were with her, She was Flashy .. but quickly seemed trashy .. and you began to shine, I taught you to drive ... and our love was alive, I dreamt of making you mine, Then shyness parted ... and our love started, From then till now it's aged like fine wine, Purer, truer, richer, deeper and still it tastes DIVINE! Happy Valentine's for 35 fabulous years.

—By John A. Naulin for Shayna Naulin, Newbury Park

We fell in love the moment our eyes met. I was visiting a friend and saw Roy there. It was instant "sparks." I wanted to see him again, and I invited him to have a banana split on me at the Carnation ice cream parlor where I worked. The next day he was there and wrote me a love note on a napkin. Every day he would come in and eat and write me a love note. One day he wrote, "Will you marry me"?

Of course I said yes, and we have been married for 53 glorious years. It keeps getting better every day. The Lord has blessed us with four beautiful children and four wonderful grandchildren.

—Simone Sparks, Westlake Village

News Year's Eve 1993-94. Her friends (D and K) introduced her to me. As I looked in her eyes I forgot to breathe.

I knew from that moment it was destiny. We became close friends, and in 1995 we started dating. Married in 1997, we have two beautiful children and have encountered many journey together. She completes me.

—Jordan Lippel, Thousand Oaks

I'd seen him around the office, but my co-worker knew him well enough to invite him to watch the Long Beach Marathon with her. She took him to watch me run. You would think a man wouldn't be too interested in a sweaty marathon runner who barely finished before they turned the clock off. I guess he saw something besides perspiration because he invited me to a movie and dinner that same day. Gary and I were married exactly four years later by my father at his church in La Crescenta. Twenty years later, Feb. 3, 2009, we are still happily married and entertained daily by our four children. Our first date was not exactly fireworks, which are amazing to behold but end all too quickly. Our first date was more like a spark that, slowly tended, ends up a nice warm fire, in which you find warmth, comfort and a sense of peace.

—Jeanette King, Thousand Oaks

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